Australia 34 PNG Kumuls 18 – Lessons from PNG v PMs XIII Test

Australians have beaten the PNG Kumuls 34-18 in Port Moresby on Saturday, but after scoring often and early, the PNG v PMs XIII Test became a much more even contest.

The big talking point of the PNG v PMs XIII Test will be the pitch invasion, which looked scary, but reports from some players said it was light-hearted, and reportedly due to worries about a light tower falling into the crowd and one worried punter became many quickly.

After a ten minute delay the game and Australians dominance continued, but PNG eventually got into the game, and almost made the PNG v PMs XIII Test a very tight contest, drawing within 12 points.

Ultimately the Australians had the last laugh and won the game, but there were plenty of positives to take from the game, and a few things to think about.

Our lessons from the PNG v PMs XIII Test is below.

PNG NEED TO OVERCOME SLOW STARTS

Not for the first time on a big occasion, the PNG side made a slow, nervous start and were quickly punished by the Australians who opened strongly. It was 18-0 through three converted tries to the Prime Minister’s before the halfway point of the first half.

It was similar to some other big games for PNG sides over the past few years. Especially the PNG Hunters in the Intrust Super Cup Grand Final and State Championship. The Hunters were able to hang on and win the ISC title, but were blown away by Penrith the following week and were 38-0 at half time.

Not sure how that could be overcome, perhaps they need more big time games, like NRL or more internationals. We make that argument next.

PNG AND RUGBY LEAGUE NEEDS MORE INTERNATIONAL GAMES

Despite the loss there were plenty of positives to take from the game. Sure it was a below strength Australian side, but there were more than enough NRL stars to make the performance worthy.

But the problem is where to from here.

Not long ago, a few years ago and pre 2017 Rugby League World Cup, the Kumuls were ranked 15th in the world and could barely win a game. 

Since 2016 they have beaten the highly rated and ranked Fiji in consecutive tests in 2015 and 2017, beaten the Cook Islands in 2016, and won their three pool games in the Rugby League World Cup – two of them in rather impressive fashion.

Although they were well beaten by England in the Quarter Finals they were certainly not disgraced. Same as today’s PNG v PMs XIII Test.

But is two games a season enough to build momentum for the PNG Kumuls, especially since not many of the squad get that week in week out intensity of the NRL.

One suggestion, which has been raised many times by us and other learned rugby league fans, is to have a Tri Series every year in conjunction with stand alone State of Origin. Three round robin games and final matches would ensure four games during the season, plus you could add a few more at the end of the season.

More games against the better sides will make the Kumuls better, and in turn International rugby league better. 

Getting more PNG players into the NRL would be good too, but the PNG players are finding it very hard to crack into the NRL, Look at Rhyse Martin, it took him several years of kicking arse in the Intrust Super Cup and Premiership

POST PITCH INVASION – THE KUMULS WON 18-16

After the pitch invasion, which will no doubt be the talking point of the game, the Kumuls were very much in the contest.

For large chunks of the second half the PNG had the upper hand, and they did get within 12 point there with ten minutes to go.

The effort in defence never wavered, but the attack certainly got sharper in the second half, and perhaps adding just a little more flair could possibly take them to the next level.

If they didn’t let the Australian get out to as big an early lead as they did, with their second half performance and a roaring local support behind (yes, could here it through the twitter video) that long-awaited upset could really have been a big chance.

WHERE’S THE COVERAGE NRL?

Not often we’d thank Peter Beattie for anything, but through his Twitter account we were sort of able to watch the PNG v PMs XIII Match.

There was the official tweet from the NRL saying something along the lines of “Sorry, blah blah blah, some pissweak technical excuse, blah blah blah”.

We get it, you couldn’t do it. But you should have.

As Peter Beattie’s twitter video proved, people don’t necessarily want full HD streaming, most of the time they’ll settle for being able to watch it all. Like us.

But it showed a real lack of respect for PNG rugby league that it couldn’t be done, as no doubt the Kiwi and Tonga will be rolled out in the best broadcast medium possible.

The NRL sucks.

SEE YOU IN 2019

It’s fun attempting to keep some PNG rugby league fans up to date about the Hunters in the Intrust Super Cup and the Kumuls in Internationals.

Drop by next year for some more coverage, and hopefully more success.

We can only hope our main man Willie Minoga is back for more too.